Nagelsmann brushes off Klopp's 'still' comment after broadcast duo suggest his days as Germany coach are numbered

The on-air exchange

During MagentaTV's coverage of the World Cup opening match, Jürgen Klopp remarked that "fortunately Julian Nagelsmann picks the team – still," before adding the word "still" as a pointed afterthought. His fellow pundit Thomas Müller immediately called out: "Kloppo, we have June. You're already in September." Both laughed, but the implication was clear: Nagelsmann could be out of the job by autumn, with Klopp widely seen as a leading contender to replace him. Nagelsmann's contract runs until after Euro 2028, yet speculation persists that a poor World Cup might trigger an early change.

Fortunately Julian Nagelsmann picks the team – still.

Kloppo, we have June. You're already in September.

Nagelsmann's reaction

At a press conference in Houston ahead of Germany's opening match against Curaçao, Nagelsmann initially refused to address the remarks. "Good, then next question," he told a German reporter. When an English tabloid journalist pressed on, the coach joked, "Are you from the same publisher?" before offering a guarded response in English: "I think it's not the right way for me to talk about this topic. I think it's important that everyone assesses the situation for themselves. I have my opinion and my standpoint, but I won't tell you."

I think it's not the right way for me to talk about this topic. I think it's important that everyone assesses the situation for themselves. I have my opinion and my standpoint, but I won't tell you.

Effenberg's criticism

The exchange did not sit well with former Germany midfielder Stefan Effenberg. Appearing on Sport1's Doppelpass, he said the comments were inappropriate for a prime-time broadcast: "You can say something like that with a beer at the bar when you're alone. But not in front of an audience of millions, that's an absolute no-go." Effenberg, 57, argued that Klopp's status as a potential successor made the remark especially loaded.

You can say something like that with a beer at the bar when you're alone. But not in front of an audience of millions, that's an absolute no-go.

Praise for Matthäus

While Klopp and Müller had suggested starting Deniz Undav instead of the recently injured Jamal Musiala, Nagelsmann found support elsewhere. He praised Lothar Matthäus for publicly backing his decision to field Musiala in the central attacking midfield role. "He has a lot of experience and he understands what it means to play a big tournament," Nagelsmann said of the record international, in what several outlets interpreted as a subtle counter to his other pundits.